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Posted on 08/04/2002 8:30:36 PM PDT by Uncle Bill
How Conservative Is President Bush?
The Cato Institute
By Veronique de Rugy
August 3, 2002
Source
Veronique de Rugy is a fiscal policy analyst at the Cato Institute.
President Bush may be repeating the sins of his father. Although elected on a Reaganesque, tax-cutting platform, the White House has veered to the left. President Bush has signed a bill to regulate political speech, issued protectionist taxes on imported steel and lumber, backed big-spending education and farm bills, and endorsed massive new entitlements for mental health care and prescription drugs. When the numbers are added up, in fact, it looks like President Bush is less conservative than President Clinton.
It makes little sense to discourage one's core supporters prior to a mid-term election. Yet that is the result when a Republican president expands government, which Bush is doing. Also, academic research on voting patterns shows that a president is most likely to get re-elected if voters are enjoying an increase in disposable income. Yet making government bigger is not a recipe for economic growth. After all, there is a reason why Hong Kong grows so fast and France is an economic basket case. But you can't tell that to the Bush administration.
Administration officials privately admit that much of the legislation moving through Congress represents bad public policy. Yet they argue either that everything must take a back seat to the war on terror (much as the first Bush administration treated the war against Iraq) or that compromises are necessary to neutralize issues such as education. But motives and rationalizations do not repeal the laws of economics.
In less than two years, President Bush has presided over more government expansion than took place during eight years of Bill Clinton. For instance:
Those policy decisions make government bigger and more expensive. They also slow the economy and hurt financial markets -- read the headlines lately? For all his flaws, President Clinton's major policy mistake was the 1993 tax increase. Other changes, such as the welfare reform bill, NAFTA, GATT, farm deregulation, telecommunications deregulation, and financial services deregulation, moved policy in a market-oriented direction.
Perhaps most importantly, there was a substantial reduction in federal spending as a share of gross domestic product during the Clinton years. Using the growth of domestic spending as a benchmark, Clinton was the second most conservative president of the post-World War II era, trailing only Ronald Reagan.
To be sure, much of the credit for Clinton's good policy probably belongs to the Republican Congress, but that is not an excuse for bad policy today. And on one positive note, President Bush has "promised" to fight for partial privatization of Social Security. Yet, so far, President Bush has not vetoed a single piece of legislation. Needless to say, this means it will be rather difficult to blame "big-spending" Democrats if the economy continues to sputter.
Compassionate Conservatism Means Big Government
No To 'Compassionate Conservatism'
"Marvin Olasky, the former Marxist journalism professor who coined the term. But he and George W. Bush are barking up the wrong tree if they think "compassionate conservatism" is going to rally popular support necessary to effect the real change needed to turn this country around."
President Highlights Compassionate Conservative Agenda for Inner Cities
If You Want Increasing Huge Government, Vote Bush
BUSH SPENDING BILL LARGEST EVER
U.S. quietly OKs fetal stem cell work - Bush allows funding despite federal limits on embryo use
Bush Signs Largest Family Planning Bill In U.S. History
Un El día En El la vida de Jorge W. La arbusto
CFR - "I Believe In Free Speech"
Bush Urges Congress To Deliver on Prescription Drugs For Medicare
GOP Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Advances in House - Another Trillion Dollars
Bush and House Republicans Push Legislation For Full Drug Subsidies For Low-Income Elderly
Bush Prepares 'Big-Time' Response To African Famine
Government Spending - War Against The Stock Market
Bush signs debt-limit increase
Bush Pushes Minority Homeownership
Bush's Food Stamp Plan Called Ethnic Pandering
Bush Wants Food Stamps For Non-Citizens
Senate Clears Way For Trade Bill - More Spending
BUSH AND THE BIG GOVERNMENT GOP
Security Bill Loaded With Wasteful PORK
Senate Ok's $31.5 Billion Anti-Terror Bill Loaded With Pork
George W. Bush and Gun Control
Bush Pushes Gore Plan For Orwellian Government
Bush Backs Down From Immunity Demand - Caves Again
BUSH, G7 to pay $20 billion to get rid of Russian nuke stockpiles
George W. Bush - The Global Warming Sell-Out
Dubya's New Deal - The New FDR
Bush Won't Label Arafat A Terrorist
George W. Bush's Terrorist Buddy
"When peoplelose faith in their institutions they trust to enforce the law, justice is no longer possible."
Bush Caves On Airport Screeners
Bush's Latest Srategic Mistake
BUSH: NINE FORMER PRESIDENTS WRONG; CLINTON RIGHT!
CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS? GEORGE BUSH'S NEVER-ENDING DOMESTIC BUDGET BUILD-UP - Father Like Son
Bush Appoints Four More Homosexuals
Dr. James Dobson Criticizes Bush Appointment to the CDC
Bush Pushes $500 Million HIV/Aids Funding For Africa
Bush to Propose Another $100 Million Over Five Years for Education in Africa
Are You Fat? No Problem, George W. Bush Will Help
House Conservatives Budge on Arts Spending
Bush Cheers Government Support For Art
Bush to Name Justice Dept. BUILDING After Kennedy
GOP Leaders Spurn Right in Key Races
Laura Ingraham's analysis of yet another Bush betrayal
Bush decisions rankle conservatives
BUSH PROPOSES LARGEST EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT SINCE TRUMAN
Bush's Record Calls into Question His Conservative Label
Conservatives Question Dubya's Direction
Conservatives not satisfied with Bush's record
Bush, Ashcroft Run Roughshod Over Bill Of Rights, Study Says
Republicans: Big Government Addicts
A Few Questions For Die-Hard Bush Supporters
Are Republicans losing their constituency?
Ann Coulter: BUSH PAYS HOMAGE TO THE FETISHISTIC RITUALS OF LIBERALISM
Compassionate conservatism is about socialism, not Americanism
Bush is jettisoning his principles for what?
Bush: stop the runaway federal spending and regulating!
Was Clinton More Conservative Than Bush? - Fox News
Bush: A Democrat in Republican clothing?
GEORGE W. BUSH: CLINTON'S THIRD TERM ©
"Another way to make sure that we foster growth and restore confidence is to hold people accountable for misdeeds in the public sector."
George W. Bush - University of Alabama at Birmingham Alys Stephens Center - July 15, 2002.
NOTE: Do As I Say, Not As I Do.
Bush Administration Lawyers Defending Hillary - Gratis
Bush and Ashcroft Justice Dept. Hamstringing Pardongate Probers.
Bill Clinton broke the law and the Republicans let him off the hook.
What we need is the tough Newt Gingrich back.
"As far back as April 7, 1998, then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich was asked on NBCs Today if he were going to press for impeachment. His response: "No, we dont have any evidence."
Source.
Al Gore Broke The Law and the Republicans let him off the hook.
Bush Says He Wants to Let Clinton 'Move On'
"Listen, here's my view: I think it's time to get all of this business behind us. I think it's time ... to allow the president to finish his term, and let him move on and enjoy life and become an active participant in the American system. And I think we've had enough focus on the past. It's time to move forward." - George W. Bush.
Bush Won't Dwell On Clinton Affair, "We're Moving Forward"
"B/S, Mr Bush. Clinton is a criminal and a traitor. We demand a thorough investigation and prosecution. Our Republic is dead and our liberty is at stake if the next administration does not clean up this mess for now and forever more. Corrupt politicians must pay the price for subverting our Constitution and using their offices for personal gain."
4 Posted on 01/20/2000 14:17:56 PST by Jim Robinson
A Republic If We Can Keep It - Bush Trashing The Constitution
It's About The Republic, Not The Republican
How Big Is The Government's Debt? - $33.1 TRILLION
There Must Be Some Way Out Of Here
"Not over my dead body will they raise your taxes,"
George W. Bush - SOURCE.
Unlike you </B., nether my head, nor anyother part of me is buried in anything. I stated historical facts, and you ooooooooooooooooooooooze emotion.
And please respond in bold again while accusing me of being the emotional one.
I suggest that you stop attributing specious things to people, whom you are personally attacking, sub rosa, and whom you really don't know anything about. These gambits just aren't working and you continually look the fool.
Wow. So y'all give out your full DOB on the swoonfest threads and not just the month and day. Why do you do that? Isn't that asking for trouble?
One of the most common signs of an ex-alcoholic is that they can never admit they are wrong.
There's no such thing as an "ex-alcoholic". Believe me because I'm in a position to tell you. Alcoholics who don't drink are still alcoholics. Maybe your husband and father in law can't admit it when they're wrong. I'll admit I'm wrong when I know I'm wrong. I hope you'll do the same but it isn't going to worry me.
That is why you should maintain absolute silence.
You are abjectly lacking in substansive , expert historical facts. You are unable and / or unwilling to comprehend even the simplist facts concerning political reality and historical precident, or lack thereof. You haven't ince given a reliable source, which corroborates your emotional suppositions. Ergo, write whatever silly things you care too. As for me, this is the end of this rather pathetic " debate ".
The Brady Bill!!!! That was way after Reagan's days. In fact, I would be surprised if he still was in sound health at that time. Do you have any proof of this? Never mind, I am sure you don't. But Reagan's days are over. As much as you try to deflect this, this debate is not about Reagan. It is about how pathetically liberal Bush is. You can badmouth Reagan all you want, but this kind of Democratic tactic would not elevate your man.
BTW, you NEVER have anything of value to say and you are a weasle, a liar, a poltoon, and don't write English well .
Is that a joke? Guess what, those babies who are killed on taxpayer's expense so that Bush can get Michael J. Fox's vote are not laughing.
Political correctness is just another tool, although a very effective one, that is a natural continuum, from the party line. We are seeing it before our very eyes. It is a heritage of communism, but as would be expected, Americans don't see this.
Since the American people are the problem, as they are participating in and running faster towards socialism and Marxist tenets, it will not be "fixed." There is a grasping hope for some that the big government socialists will be run out of the Republican party power structures and start electing real small government politicians to begin the decades long process of restoring the Republic. That makes no sense, as Americans are growing in number that believe it's fine to have the government steal their neighbors hard earned money for their domestic personal bliss and give it to them in a variety of forms. It's so bad they believe it's their God-given right.
Not to mention we are witnessing a president facilitating nothing less than a foreign invasion whose goal is to takeover and annex portions of the U.S. to further the balkanization of America, and institute the full-blown nanny welfare state. Heck, they actually think it belongs to them.
Bush has given full license to law-breaking, and finished off any resemblence of the rule of law, foundational Constitutional pillars by turning his back on the Clinton crimes and throwing all accountability in the sea of never-to-return.
The following mission statement, when compared to Bush's socialist run for big government nannyhood, seems so far away that it sadly almost becomes laughable.
There are many silent Americans that have thrown up their hands and turned there backs on any hope of restoring the Republic, and, when confronted with the weak, corrupt, and pitiful candidates they are presented with, it's hard to blame them. However, one day they will be sorry they didn't storm the gates so to speak and throw the bums out.
Again, I could outline many solutions, but it would be a waste of time, knowing the dreadful state of Americans love of socialism, ignorance and their determination to run over the cliff to slavery, totalitarianism and almost a gleeful push to kill a once great Republic. We are witnessing the fall of it. There can be no world government with a strong vibrant Republic. Don't take my word for it, take theirs.
ABOUT FREE REPUBLIC
What is our mission? Free Republic is dedicated to reversing the trend of unconstitutional government expansion and is advocating a complete restoration of our constitutional republic. Listed below are some of the issues we feel strongly about.
Basically, we believe that the Founders designed our system of government in the form of a constitutionally limited republic, with maximum freedom intended for the people and minimum government control or interference into our personal lives and business affairs.
The united states of America was intended to be a federation of sovereign states, each with its own constitution and state government. Governments at all levels -- federal, state and local -- were to be controlled by the people. Our Constitution explicitly restricts the power of our federal government; and our Bill of Rights guarantees that NO government may infringe upon our God given unalienable rights. This is to ensure that the real power remains close to home, with the states, the local governments and always in the hands of the people.
We the People have granted our federal government limited powers to oversee certain things, such as national defense, interstate commerce, the postal service, the coining of money, and the operation of a court system. Most other powers now in the hands of the federal government were illegally usurped from the states and from the people.
Somehow, over the years, our guiding principles of law, as set forth in the Constitution, have been eroded to the point that the federal government now has total control -- leaving the states impotent and the people as captive servants to the federal government. This must be reversed if we are to survive as a free Republic and a free people.
We at Free Republic are determined to return the Constitution to its rightful place as the Supreme Law of the land as the Founders intended.
It is not necessary for everyone to hold the same views to be members of Free Republic, however, many of us do share many of the following as common beliefs and goals:
Repeal of the war and emergency powers acts and the various states of national emergencies will allow the abolishing of all unconstitutional federal law, agencies and departments. This will return us to a Federalist system of government and return many responsibilities to the States and personal rights to the citizens.
A return to a strictly Constitutional form of federal government will automatically repeal and abolish all unconstitutional federal involvement in states issues such as: crime, health, education, welfare and the environment. The Tenth Amendment will again be in effect, which will bar all federal attempts at legislating social issues. This will also require that social programs such as Social Security, welfare and Medicare be repealed. So too, will most federal subsidies.
Right on, brother! That comment sums up all of GW in a nutshell. I am glad that some people remember the 80s. I am sick to death when people compare Reagan's days to Bush's. Noone understands the enormous welfare state that Reagan inherited and what he had to do to turn the tide. Never forget that Reagan made Tip O'Neil vote for his tax cut. Bush, on the other hand, started a love-thy-Democrat orgy fest in Washington.
How about Coolidge? Hoover was excellent as well.
Yeah, if you go around whispering vague threats to the turkey for three days before you let someone ELSE do the work and they pretty much tag it though with entirely too much ramp up and sloppy delivery-more of an eventually fatal gutshot...yeah TF you were AT a turkey shoot.
And you're a real badass...< /you know, sarcasm. the only language you speak...and poorly at that. you don't even qualify as a bushbot...you're just a loud mouth hostile blowhard who is too lazy to debate on the issues being discussed so you just insult people till they leave...yeah you went to the turkey shoot, allright but it took 400 entries to identify PART of what Twodees was maintaining was indeed a mistake in his position while your reprehensible threatening and intimidating behavior THROUGHOUT THIS THREAD demonstrated conclusively that this entire forum is circling the drain, if your postings are any indication.
What you are is a disgusting, self important, element of devolution in intellectual discourse back to Social Darwinism. Your behavior is an embarassment to rational political discourse and you are the one that should be banned not twodees and not the suspended Registered. Registered overstepped a rule one time...You've openly threatened and abused posters on every thread I've ever seen you on...I find you repugnant as a human being and unworthy of any consideration of your opinions on politics or anything else...
Your internal dialogue is probably too good at shoring up your pathetically fragile sense of self worth to identify any aspects of your behavior in what you just read. I wouldn't point that out except you're participating in a national forum constructed to try and rescue this country from socialism. I bet you are at least subconsciously aware that your comportment is providing a wonderful argument for LEFTIE SUPPORTERS! I really wish you would solve your personal issues on your own time rather than swaggering around injuring the cause of freedom while you wait for the next setback to your externally defined self esteem.
Now go break your arm off patting yourself on the back. That feeling won't last. You're nothing but a junkyard dog masquerading as a debater. Go ahead and threaten me too. I don't support disclosure of private information. And BTW Twodees acknowledged the same position about 200 posts back!..but the level of hostility you demonstrated toward twodees shouldn't be allowed on professional wrestling...I'm not a lawyer but I'd call it actionable as part of a pattern of behavior. But I'd like to see you go over this thread and demonstrate that free commentary was not being systematically discouraged. I'd actually grant you a total victory and leave Free Republic if you could do that..I'll be back tomorrow to see how you do...Any bets I won't? Bark...this is the biggest yard you'll ever get until you learn some manners...Now go ping your clique like a good pack animal. Win or lose I'll find a way to help keep the Constitution alive...What's your agenda if I may be so forward as to ask?
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